NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS GAY PRIDE
EVENTS TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE
CITY THIS JUNE
—Two Years Following the Passage of New York’s Marriage
Equality Act, NYC Remains Nation’s Most Popular LGBT
Travel Destination, Attracting Visitors From
Around the Globe—
—Nearly 2 Million Expected to Attend Flagship Heritage of
Pride Events this June—
New York City (April 23, 2013) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, is highlighting several annual gay pride events taking place throughout the City as the summer travel season begins. Recognized as the number one LGBT travel destination in the United States, New York City will be brimming with energy, diversity and excitement. From the flagship Heritage of Pride events in Manhattan—where nearly 2 million people are expected to attend—to the diverse pride events and celebrations happening in the boroughs outside Manhattan, New York City is the ideal destination for visitors seeking a unique and festive pride experience.
“New York City is an iconic destination for LGBT travel, particularly during our annual Pride Week celebrations,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York two years ago, the City remains the most popular gay travel destination in the United States. We encourage visitors from around the world to book their travel now and experience the many pride festivities taking place throughout the five boroughs.”
A full listing of NYC 2013 pride activity can be accessed at nycgo.com/gay. Highlights of activity taking place throughout the City, organized by borough, follows:
Manhattan
Heritage of Pride, which organizes the City’s flagship LGBT events and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots that sparked the modern gay-rights movement, features the theme “Rain to Rainbows” for its lineup of pride events this year.
“After years of inequality in this country we are finally turning the course toward receiving full equality. While this won’t be achieved overnight we are proud of our community’s accomplishments over the last decade and look to the future with a positive stance on the state of LGBT rights,” said Chris Frederick, Managing Director of Heritage of Pride. “With the Supreme Court deciding on same-sex marriage days prior to NYC Pride’s largest day we are projecting an increase in attendance to nearly 2 million individuals and are excited to welcome the world with open arms.”
The PrideFest street fair, now in its 20th year, will take place on Sunday, June 30, 11am–6pm. Thousands of visitors attend the event at Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street each year, joining locals, corporate sponsors, community leaders and business owners.
With Edith Windsor (the central figure in the case challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act), Harry Belafonte (singer, songwriter and longtime social activist) and Earl Fowlkes (president and CEO of the Center for Black Equity) as the grand marshals, The March will take place on Sunday, June 30, at noon. The parade, which has taken place to celebrate the gay community since 1970, begins at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and ends in Greenwich Village. Free registration is now open online.
Three events will take place at Pier 26 (on the West Side Highway; attendees should cross at Laight Street) this year:
- The Rally will take place on Friday, June 28, 7–10pm, showcasing speakers and well-known performers in honor of the first NYC pride rally that occurred one month after the Stonewall Riots.
- Rapture on the River, one of the nation’s largest ladies-only dance events, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Saturday, June 29, 3–10pm. Tickets are available online.
- On Sunday, June 30, Dance on the Pier is back for its 27th year with award-winning DJs and the world’s longest-running LGBT fireworks display along the Hudson River. The event, 3–10pm, is the official close to NYC Pride events. Tickets are available online.
To purchase tickets, register and access a comprehensive list of all events, visit nycpride.org or follow Heritage of Pride on Twitter (twitter.com/nycpride) or on Facebook (facebook.com/nycpride).
Bronx
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., in partnership with Boogie Down Pride and Brainpower, will host the third annual Bronx LGBT Allies Award Ceremony on Thursday, June 20, 2013, 6pm, at the Rotunda at 851 Grand Concourse. The event will honor individuals who have made positive contributions to the LGBT community in the Bronx. For more information, go to bronxboropres.nyc.gov/.
Brooklyn
New York City’s most populous borough celebrates gay pride with events on Saturday, June 8. Brooklyn Pride 2013 features the 16th annual Brooklyn Pride LGBT 5K Run through the historic Prospect Park. Runners must sign up at nycruns.com (limited to 500 participants). Runners can check in at 8am; the race starts at 10am.
Also on June 8, visitors and locals can attend the Brooklyn Pride Festival, 11am–5pm at a new location, on Fifth Avenue, between Third and Ninth Streets. This year’s festival will feature two stages for local performers and LGBT–friendly sports teams that will be playing behind the Old Stone House at J.J. Byrne Park.
At 7:30pm, the Brooklyn Pride Parade will begin at a new location, at Sterling Place, and march down Fifth Avenue, ending at Ninth Street.
For more information, please visit brooklynpride.org.
Queens
On Sunday, June 2, Queens Pride, which promotes education and awareness of LGBT issues in the borough, hosts its Parade and Multicultural Festival, noon–6pm, in Jackson Heights, with the theme “Equality. Everyday. Everyone.” The parade starts at 85th Street and 37th Avenue at noon, and will follow 37th Avenue through 75th Street. Also starting at noon, the festival will take place through 6pm on 37th Road between 74th and 77th Streets. Parade participants will have the opportunity to win “Queenie Awards,” ranging from the best use of color to the best drag performance.
For more information and to register for the events, go to queenspride.org.
Staten Island
The Staten Island LGBT Community Center hosts the LGBT Pride Parade & Festival 2013 in the St. George neighborhood on Saturday, June 1, noon–5pm. The parade kicks off at noon at on Central Avenue at Slosson Terrace, ending at Tompkinsville Park, where the festival will feature LGBT–friendly entertainment, amusements and vendors till 5pm.
For more information and to register for the events, visit silgbtcenter.org or facebook.com/statenislandparade.
About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For the official source on all there is to see and do in New York City, go to nycgo.com.
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Contact: NYC & Company/Kimberly Spell 212-484-1270
NYC & Company/Chris Heywood 212-484-1270